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Autism, now affecting an estimated 1 in 88 children, is a diagnosis that represents many symptoms, some of which can lead to serious health and safety risks, even death.

In 2008, Danish researchers found that the mortality rate among the autism population is twice as high as the general population. In 2001, a California research team attributed elevated death rates in large part to drowning. Drowning, prolonged exposure, and other wandering-related factors remain among the top causes of death within the autism population.

Currently, no estimates exist and no formal methods are in place to track how many children and adults wander per year, but in a 2007 online poll through the National Autism Association, 92% of parents reported that their child/ren with autism have a tendency to wander.

As an education professional, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the dangers of autism-related wandering, and how it may be prevented within your school. Key elements in preventing autism elopement include:

• Ensuring close adult supervision of any student with a cognitive impairment.

• Ensuring proper architectural barriers around school grounds are in place to prevent wandering.

• Ensuring all school staff is familiar with the risks of autism-related wandering and are trained to respond properly in the event of a wandering emergency.

• Ensuring school staff follows proper protocol in keeping gates and doors closed and school grounds secure.

• Immediately notifying parents of wandering incidents, even if the incident seems small or insignificant.

• Thoroughly assessing any wandering incident, how it happened, and putting measures in place to prevent reoccurrence.

• Being aware, and ensuring school staff is aware, of any known triggers that could prompt fleeing in any child (loud noises, meltdowns, etc.) and working to prevent and/or appropriately respond to these episodes in a manner that ensures the child’s safety.

• Assigning a 1:1 aide to students with autism who are especially prone to wandering.

• Ensuring all emergency response protocols are up to date and enforced.

• Always calling 911 if a child is missing.

There have been cases in the past where school staff has tried to locate the child themselves before calling authorities. Because children with autism are often attracted to water and have little to no sense of danger, school staff should never wait to call 911.

Because your students are often shifted to different classrooms for therapy sessions, etc., it’s important that those prone to wandering never be left unattended.

Also keep in mind that even the smallest wandering episode can signal a strong warning for future incidents. It only takes one time for a child to end up in a deadly situation. If a child has wandered within the building or only got outside for just a second, the parents should be informed so the incident can be addressed to prevent future incidents. Failure to address known wandering tendencies and/or escape patterns could lead to a much more serious incident.

There are many risk and safety management organizations that offer training programs for school staff members. Companies like Crisis Prevention Institute can be a valuable resource for schools and daycares in need of safety training. 

Children with autism are especially vulnerable in the warmer months, and all exterior doors and gates should remain closed.  All summer day camp settings should maintain close adult supervision, strong security measures and have proper emergency protocols in place.

You can also help ensure your students' safety at home by sharing prevention and safety resources with caregivers who have a child with autism.

To see recent articles about autism-related wandering, please click here.